She Would Never Do That – The episode opens at the Nantucket Police Station with Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson) blaming herself for Merritt Monaco’s (Meghann Fahy) death. In a flashback, Merritt is starting to feel down because she fears losing Amelia once she is married. Back at the police station, Amelia continues to blame herself. In a flashback, an angry Amelia scolds Merritt for keeping something from her. Distraught, Merritt runs away.

Detective Nikki Henry (Donna Lynne Champlin) is inspecting Tag Winbury’s (Live Schreiber) vessel. Nantucket Chief of Police Dan Carter (Michael Beach) says the medical examiner detected water in Merritt’s lungs, a laceration on her left foot, and bruising on both wrists. Nikki shows him a mobile phone located in seaweed down the beach. A crime scene tech (Chhoyang Cheshatsang) tells them that a man’s jacket was located as well. They suspect Merritt and a man flipped the vessel. Greer Garrison Winbury’s (Nicole Kidman) assistant, Elizabeth reminds Greer of her appointment with Miss Winfrey. Abby Winbury (Dakota Fanning) tells Nikki that she met Merritt on several occasions before the wedding rehearsal. She grew up in a cabin on Lake Travis. She claims to have gone to bed between 10pm and 10:pm and only woke up with Thomas Winbury (Jack Reynor) came in. Abby suggests Merritt didn’t connect with men. Amelia and Benji Winbury’s (Billy Howle) wedding has been canceled. Thomas Winbury (Jack Reynor) sends the oyster delivery driver away with the promise to pay for the oysters. He complains to a police officer (Daniel Rios Jr.) about a cruiser being parked in the driveway. The officer assures him that it is necessary to preserve the crime scene. Thomas suggests their Nantucket Fund donation could buy them some discretion. When the officer refuses to move the cruiser, Thomas becomes irate and makes a scene.

Gosia (Irina Dubova) says when Thomas was little, he didn’t take care of his puppy, so it ended up in her care. Will Winbury’s (Sam Nivola) left hand is bandaged. Amelia arrives back at the Nantucket estate. He has flashbacks of Merritt going into the water. In a flashback, Amelia admires Merritt’s bracelet. She becomes irate when she learns it was a gift from Tag. Back in the present, Abby embraces Amelia. Tag whispers to Benji that whatever Amelia needs, he will take care of it. Amelia cuts Tag off when he tries to speak to her. Later, a distraught Amelia is lying between Karen Sacks (Dendrie Taylor) and Bruce Sacks (Michael McGrady). Bruce asks her to let Karen rest before leaving. Amelia tells Karen that she never got the chance to make up with Merritt after their fight. Elsewhere, Dan and Nikki are searching Merritt’s room when Tag enters with refreshments. Seeing Merritt’s swimsuit on a chair, Tag asks if the investigation is necessary for an accidental drowning. Dan tells him that all possibilities must be covered. Tag says Merritt was unfamiliar with the Nantucket Harbor’s blackberry mojitos. Nikki suggests Merritt hooked up with a guest and when she changed her mind, he strangled her and staged her death to look like a drowning. Tag asks if Merritt was strangled. Dan and Nikki say no simultaneously. Tag asks about Chloe Carter (Mia Isaac). Dan claims she is doing well in school.

Amelia overhears Greer insisting they all stick to the same story that Merritt took her own life. Thomas questions if she was on drugs. Amelia asks if she is supposed to be there. She assures them that Merritt would never commit suicide. Tag agrees to notify Marty. Amelia asks if they should issue a statement that isn’t true. Greer stresses the need to stay a step ahead. Thomas says they need to control the narrative. Nikki tells Dan that she would appreciate his help in investigating Merritt’s death. He plans to search the beach again. She accuses him of being too easy on the Winburys who donate to the police fun. He warns her against stepping on any toes because they will bring in their New York attorneys. Amelia watches Merritt’s video. Benji gives her a non-disclosure agreement to sign for Greer. She reluctantly signs it. He thanks her. He later talks to Shooter Dival (Ishaan Khattar) who is distraught about Merritt’s death. After Benji leaves, Shooter tries to call someone but they don’t answer. He grabs what appears to be his passport and wallet before leaving. Shooter’s fingerprints are detected on Merritt’s phone. At the estate, Nantucket Deputy Carl (Nick Searcy) finds Shooter’s room empty and the bathroom window open. At the ferry, Shooter buys a ticket. Carl notifies Dan of Shooter’s disappearance. Dan and Nikki trap Shooter on the ferry.

Sand Dollar Cottages – Thomas and Isabel Nallet (Isabelle Adjani) have sex. He gives her some drugs. An incoming call from Abby pops up on his phone. He warns that Abby is on to them and suggests confessing because he loves Isabel. He complains about Tag denying his request for a loan. Isabel admits to having an affair with Tag. At the police station, Roger Pelton (Tim Bagley) tells Carl and Nikki that Tag married Greer because of her money. Thomas returns to the estate to find Abby packing. She insists on getting her hair done at an expensive salon. Greer ignores a call from Broderick Graham. Tag joins her on the balcony. Seeing she isn’t into talking, he leaves. Later, Tag tells Amelia that he thinks she is great and doesn’t want things awkward between them. He says Merritt was special. She assures him that she knows. A short time later, she arrives at the police station. Carl informs Nikki that Amelia wants to keep her visit discrete. Amelia tells Nikki and Dan that Tag and Merritt were having an affair. She sees the crime scene photos on the table. Nikki says there were signs of a struggle. In a flashback, Merritt tells Amelia that she is pregnant with Tag’s baby. She gets upset and runs away.

Greer recalls Merritt wearing the gold bangle that Tag purchased for $18k. She appears to have had an argument with Tag. The episode ends.

 

The Perfect Couple Review

The director appears to pulling it together much better in this episode. There are fewer time jumps and what happened to Merritt is becoming clearer. The story is still filled with plot holes but hopefully, these will lessen with time. The acting is still the series’ strong point. The episode deserves a 5.5 out of 10.

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